Turkic nations celebrate their culture in Ankara

The 8th International Turkic World Tourism Congress opened in Ankara this week, bringing together officials, academics and cultural representatives from across the Turkic world to discuss the future of tourism, culture and heritage in the region.

The congress was organized in partnership with the Organization of Turkic States, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University and several other institutions, reflecting the scale of cooperation behind the four-day event.

The program started with a lively cultural segment featuring a dance performance and a concert, setting a celebratory tone for the days of discussions to follow.

Marina Semenova, culture minister of Moldova's Gagauzia Autonomous Region, addressed the opening ceremony, telling attendees how pleased she was to be in Ankara and describing the warm greetings she had brought from her homeland.

Semenova said her community's greatest wealth lay in its customs and traditions, and expressed hope that the congress would give the Turkish public a chance to experience Gagauz dances, folk songs, food and culture firsthand.

Among those present at the opening were senior officials and university representatives, alongside numerous diplomats and industry representatives.

Throughout the congress, visitors can explore booths set up by cultural associations, embassies based in Ankara and various institutions, offering a hands-on look at the traditions of different Turkic communities.

The event's agenda spans a wide range of subjects, with panels and workshops, both online and in person, covering everything from tourism and hotel management to artificial intelligence, digitalization, culture and history.

The congress will run through Sept. 27, drawing scholars and experts from across the Turkic world to Ankara for a sustained exchange of ideas on tourism's role in preserving and promoting shared heritage.